Recording HOA meetings

I am investigating the possibility of archiving the video on the monthly HOA meetings. There is push back from a few board members and committee members in allowing access to view at a later date. The current process is the Video of the meeting is housed in the HOA office on the server for 10 days. To view a written request is required and you must view in the HOA office. Since COVID restrictions are in place all board meetings have been electronic utilizing products/services such as Zoom and go to meeting.

The issue is we have many Snowbirds that travel South and maymiss the scheduled meeting. These individuals would be 500+ miles away and would not be able to request or view in person.

If I may ask what your HOA is doing in this instance?

Thank you
1200 plus member community

Just my opinion, but I would never formally record a board of annual meeting.

Take minutes, archive the minutes,

I recorded one board meeting 2 years ago. I wasn't on the board at the time. Afterwards, another homeowner contacted me and demanded I transcribe the audio and provide him with a copy. As politely as I could, I told him I wasn't going to do that and asked why he wanted it. He wanted to "report them to the state" for holding a Board of Directors meeting without a quorum of homeowners present. I stifled a laugh and wished him good luck with that.

I've recorded every board meeting exept one over the last 4 years and only had a single occasion where I went back and actually listened to one.

Understandable, the issue we have is the meeting in sometimes 4 hours long but the minutes are on one page. Not very informative.

Mark

Minutes are not meant to be a running narrative of what took place for several reasons. They would go one and on ad nauseum. There could be many things left out and some on purpose. Unless word for word, the writer could slant things. Unless word for word the reader could misinterpret.

The main thing required in Minutes are any Motions Made and the result of the Motion. The rest is just chatter.

While not required, it is wise to at least reference the chatter with statements such as:

Replacing existing property boundary fencing was discussed. No action was taken.

No need for the possible ranting, raving, threats curses, etc. that might have gone on for an hour when discussing the fencing issue.

Out owner's biggest gripes during the Annual Meeting Q&A Session are always landscaping issues. Primarily it is a personal issue not a community wide issue such as we have one person of 112 that always complains about how our landscapers trim her bushes. Another always complains about how the flowers at our entrance way look. This can go on for an hour. If a valid complaint (and some are), the BOD will say we will look at the issue. It shows in the Minutes as:

Landscaping issues were discussed. No action was taken.

Rarely do Minutes have to be more than one page long.

Strongly concur.

While we have all heard folks pontificate and insist their position be in the minutes, don’t do it ... just a short comment, as was mentioned, then the motion, if any, second by who, and the vote tally.

Recording so folks can gather at a tv like football and compare plays? Not gonna happen with me.

Agree with all from the others. Plus, think about this. When it comes time to sell your home, depending on your particular state's disclosure requirements, would you want a prospective buyer to read all kinds of drama especially if it did not result in any action taken by the board? I would be less inclined to buy a home in an HOA that presents the appearance of drama, controversy and conflict. Record what is necessary. Let the rest fall on the cutting room floor.

Thank you everyone for your responses. Makes complete sense to me, enjoyed the comment pertaining to the “minutes” not “hours” quite humorous. The community is divided which has a tendency during open comments to go on and on.. take care and thank you